5 Wrestlers You Probably Thought Were Alive – But Aren’t

Unfortunately in the world of professional wrestling, not every superstar makes it out of the sport alive. Be it from a freak accident or years of drug and alcohol abuse. It’s a sad fact that many of the wrestlers we grew up with have lost their lives at a very young age.

Today we are going to be looking at five wrestlers, who sadly are no longer with us. Even though you probably thought they were still around. Some disappeared from the sport entirely only to lose their life at a later date. Others were still active and tragically passed away. Most of them still having plenty to offer, and countless people to entertain. So let us present 5 Wrestlers You Probably Thought Were Alive (But Aren't)

Brian Adams

LostWrestlers.com

Better know by his ring name ‘Crush,’ Brian Adams debuted as part of the extremely popular ‘Demolition’ tag team. He left the WWE (for the second time in 1998) for WCW (to become a member of the invading NWO) but would return later to WWE (after WCW was purchased) for a short run. Sadly, he was found unconscious by his wife on August 13, 2007, at their home in Miami. He was pronounced dead by paramedics when they arrived.

Test

WWE.com

Andrew ‘Test’ Martin was a former Intercontinental Champion, European Champion as well as a Hardcore Champion and Tag Team Champion during his time with the WWE. Casting an imposing figure standing 6 ft 6 inches and weighing 280 lb. it’s really no wonder he was so successful in the WWE. Unfortunately Martin was found dead in his home on March 13, 2009. His death was ruled an accidental overdose of the drug Oxycodone.

‘Ravishing’ Rick Rude

YouTube

One of the greatest performers in the history of wrestling and the self-proclaimed 'sexiest man alive' Rick Rude was a former Intercontinental Champion, a title he won by defeating The Ultimate Warrior at Wrestlemania V. Featuring legendary feuds with the likes of Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts, and even being a member of the first incarnation of D-Generation X, the ravishing one was a true legend of the sport. Rick Rude died on April 20, 1999, after suffering heart failure at the age of 40.

Umaga

YouTube

Edward Smith Fatu, better known by his ring name Umaga, was one of the most imposing figures ever to compete inside a wrestling ring. Debuting as part of a tag team called 3-Minute Warning, he had moderate success. However it wasn’t until he returned to the WWE as ‘The Samoan Bulldozer’ Umaga that his career really took off. Brother of WWE legend Rikishi, Fatu became a 2 time WWE Intercontinental Champion. Umaga was found not breathing on December 4, 2009. He suffered a heart attack and was rushed to the hospital where he died later that day after suffering a second heart attack.

Bam Bam Bigelow

WWE / WWF Magazine

Bam Bam Bigelow was not only intimidating looking, with his bald head sporting an awesome flame tattoo, he was over 6 ft tall and weighed almost 400 pounds. He was even more impressive in the ring, where he would show he was just as quick and agile as guys half his size. A true legend of the sport he had one of the most talked about matches in Wrestlemania history, where he fought former New York Giants great Lawrence Taylor at Wrestlemania XI. Bam Bam was found dead in his home on January 19, 2007. Autopsy results would reveal that Bigelow’s death was caused by drugs in his system including cocaine, and an anti-anxiety drug. He was only 45.